RSS in favour of All-India Medical Services (IMS) after Covid disaster
RSS in favour of All-India Medical Services (IMS) after Covid disaster
In 2017, a central committee had recommended the setting up of an all-India cadre for the medical practitioners and the government had moved a proposal to create an IMS cadre. Health being a state subject, the Union health secretary had also shot missives to the chief secretaries of all the states soliciting their views on the proposal. Now with RSS top brass taking up the issue in view of the recent damage caused during the second wave of Covid-19 and lack of coordination between various central and state agencies, a separate central cadre would ensure the centre and state cooperated satisfactory and speedy results, said sources.
The Sangh Parivar is concerned over the devastation during the fierce second wave of Corona pandemic in the country. It has begun a damage control exercise with review of Covid-19 relief works and preparations done by the state government to cope with the upcoming `third wave'. RSS top brass Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Sah Sarkaryawah Manmohan Vaidya held deliberations at Samaj Sewa Nyas, a social service unit, in Bhopal on Thursday. Sangh Parivar's Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh (head of national outreach wing) Ramlal was also present during the discussions, disclosed sources.
During discussions, it came out that the state administration in several districts lacked communication and technical expertise with the state health department failing in controlling the pandemic. During a surge in Covid-19 cases, the protocol followed by the medical practitioners had to change every week. It was also observed that senior officers serving in metros and cities have no clue about rural health or how public health is delivered through various tiers of the health system. A lack of communication between the medical practitioners and bureaucrats also resulted in lapses.
RSS top leaders observed that the country needs a complete revamp of the directorate of health services so that they can function like they are meant to, as the technical and policy advisory wing for the health ministry. A separate cadre would help strengthen the coordination between the central and state health machinery.
Bhaiyya ji Joshi is in favour of forming a central cadre for the medical practitioners to revamp the health sector. During discussions with the RSS Karyakartas, it was disclosed that during the second wave, the system lacked a proactive Covid management, national level coordination and substantial resources in controlling the pandemic," disclosed a senior RSS functionary.
Sources said a central cadre, which existed before independence, the Indian Medical Service (IMS), was abolished in August 1947. The Sangh Parivar has also decided to support Baba Ramdev's initiatives to promote alternate therapy including Ayurveda and Yoga. The RSS would provide assistance to all such therapies and launch a public awareness drive. The RSS would also chart out a list of big contributors and donors who played a vital role in providing help and relief during the Covid-19 crisis.
The RSS has also expressed concern, based on the public anger and a general perception that the government dropped the ball on Covid, given that almost everyone in the BJP's core support base was affected by the pandemic. The organisation has now decided to launch a damage control exercise ahead of crucial assembly elections in 2022 and 2023.
In February-March 2022, elections are likely to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur while in December, the elections will be held in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. This will be followed by crucial elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Karnataka and Rajasthan in 2023 which will have a wide impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Sources said that there are still three years until the next Lok Sabha polls when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term. If the results of the UP panchayat polls are any indication, the BJP has reason to worry. Similarly, the by-poll result in Damoh has also caused concern among BJP leaders who were sure to win the seat against Congress' anti-saffron campaign.
During the discussions, the Sangh Parivar decided to intensify the relief operations and Covid preparations in rur
l areas as the middle class and villagers were the worst hit during the second wave. It was also decided that RSS volunteers would actively involve themselves with the socal organisations to bring financial aid to the Covid affected families. The RSS along with its affiliated body Arogya Bharti has decided to provide medicines.
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